It’s that time of year when players on the B.C. Hockey League playoff bubble turn into mathematicians.

The equation facing the Vernon Vipers is a challenging one as they make a final push to earn a postseason berth.

To have a realistic shot at overtaking the Chilliwack Chiefs for fourth place in the Interior Conference (and the final playoff spot), Vernon head coach Jason Williamson believes the 27-25-1-2 Vipers will have to win their five remaining regular-season games, and pray the 28-21-1-3 Chiefs go 3-4 in their final seven.

“We’ve got to win five games, which in my opinion is doable, but we need help,” said Williamson.

The Vipers have a full week to recover from a tumultuous ferry ride and a pair of weekend road losses on the coast. They fell 6-4 to the Cowichan Valley Capitals Friday night, and 4-2 to the Powell River Kings Saturday.

“We had to drug the boys up with Gravol on the way over from Comox,” said Williamson. “It (ferry) was close to not running. Underneath, where you pull on, you could barely get off the bus because it was rocking back and forth.”

The Vipers were without rookie forward Adam Tambellini, who missed the weekend trip with the flu. Injured forward Ben Gamache hasn’t played since he blocked a shot with his hand in a Feb. 17 game against the Vees.

Vernon is in West Kelowna Saturday night to take on Rylan Ferster’s Westside Warriors (20-27-2-7) at Royal LePage Place. They entertain the Prince George Spruce Kings (30-19-2-4) in a Sunday matinee (2 p.m.) at Wesbild Centre.

Their remaining regular-season tilts are against the Chiefs (Tuesday at Prospera Centre), followed by a home-and-home with the Salmon Arm SilverBacks (16-32-0-7).

“We’ve had some success against Westside this year, and we’ve got to go in there and get a road win, which is something we’ve struggled with,” said Williamson.

“Sunday, it’s a short turnover but PG (Prince George) is playing some road games too, and we’ve played PG well all year too.”

The Chiefs, who had two games in hand heading into their Tuesday-nighter against the host Warriors, wrap up their schedule with home games against Westside, Vernon and Trail Smoke Eaters (11-27-1-4), and road encounters with the Penticton Vees (49-3-0-2) and Coquitlam Express (32-18-2-2).

“We need some of those guys to win,” said Williamson.

Saturday night, first star Teagan Waugh pegged the Kings (35-15-2-2) to a two-goal lead with his 19th and 20th snipes of the season.

Vernon struck twice in the final 16 seconds of the second frame to equalize. Forward Aaron Hadley (15th) forced netminder Sean McGuire into mishandling the puck and was rewarded with an empty-netter for the first goal.

On the ensuing faceoff, centreman Darren Nowick got the puck deep, forced a Powell River defender to turn the puck over and fed Mike Zalewski for a buzzer-beater.

“We had been buzzing for 10 minutes before that,” said Williamson. “We had turned the tide and we were rewarded for it there.”

The Kings rebounded in the third period, with Daniel Schuler (15th) collecting the winner with a snapshot at 13:39, and Steven Schmidt (13th) added an insurance goal less than two minutes later.

“We outchanced them 17-12,” said Williamson. “2-2 game late in the third, and to be honest, Kirby (Halcrow, netminder) probably wants that third one back.

“You sense it after the game that they’re pretty down. They played hard in a place that’s tough to play in, with the travel and a pretty good team, and they come up short on the scoreboard.”

SNAKE BITES: Hadley has scored in five straight games and has amassed six goals and two helpers in that span...Penticton pushed its league-record win streak to 37 games with a pair of weekend wins. Travis St. Denis earned the winner in double overtime as the Vees squeaked by the host Merritt Centennials 2-1 Saturday night before 870 fans. Cents’ keeper Tyler Steel, a Vernon native, recorded 45 saves for second star...Penticton stuffed Prince George 4-1 Sunday afternoon before 2,300 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

No official press release but the CHL website-transactions page has listed the CHL Dayton Gems have waived goaltender, Mark Sibbald back on February, 11th 2012 after claiming goaltender, Dan Dunn off waivers also on the 11th. The Gems aquired Sibbald from the CHL Allen Americans back on January, 18th 2012 for future considerations. The Americans recently signed Sibbald back on January, 11th 2012. Sibbald

has played with four teams this season (Huntsville, Bloomington, Allen & Dayton). Sibbald played two years in Vernon (2003-2005) going 35-16-3 in 59 regular season games with the Vipers.

Playoff positioning is the name of the game right now with only three weeks left in the regular season and some teams having as few as five games remaining.

Besides Penticton finishing first in the Interior, all other seven playoff spots have yet to be determined with just seven points separating first from fourth in the Coastal Conference and nine points separating second from fifth in the Interior.

Coastal Conference

Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Mainly because of Victoria plummeting late in the season, the ’Dogs have moved up to sixth place. The return of Yan Kalashnikov from injury has been nice as he and brother Artsiom have been productive lately. Rookie Evan Tironese has six goals in his last four games.

Coquitlam Express

The BCHL’s second highest-scoring team has put itself in striking distance of first place while creating a comfortable lead over fifth-place Nanaimo. A recent 8-0 loss to Merritt was alarming but the leadership of Alex Petan and goaltending of Cole Huggins usually means losses don’t turn into streaks.

Cowichan Valley Capitals

A mid-January swoon was scary and dropped the Caps from first to third but dry coinciding dry spells for Brett Knowles, Devin Gannon, Richard Vanderhoek and Jake Charles seem to be over. Matt Brown has been in and out of the lineup for the last month and that has had a major impact as the QMJHL transfer has been a bellwether for the Caps.

Langley Rivermen

The lowest scoring team in the Coastal Conference has received 20-goals campaigns from Mario Puskarich and Mike Tebbutt and playmaker Darnell Dyck has turned in another fine season as he approaches 225 career games but there hasn’t been enough push from the blueline. The Rivermen carry the league’s second-worst power play and have the fewest goals on the man advantage at 35.

Nanaimo Clippers

Trailing the Coquitlam Express by 11 points for the final playoff spot on Feb. 20, the Clips would need a minor miracle to get into the postseason. Mike Vandekamp’s crew finishes February with six straight road games and had only one win in the first four of those. Goalie Billy Faust’s scholarship to Vermont is one piece of good news that’s come in lately.

Powell River Kings

A 10-game win streak was halted abruptly by the Coquitlam Express on Feb. 11. The Express have been a thorn in the Kings’ side all season and could prove a worry for Kent Lewis’ team should they be matched up in the postseason. Rookie Matt Scarth had seven points, including five goals, in a recent two-game set against Victoria.

Surrey eagles

The Coastal Conference’s first-place club as of this writing, the Eagles have not lost in regulation in their last 10 games. Robert Lindores has emerged as a nice secondary offensive weapon after Tyler Morley with 10 points in his last six games. Despite being the lowest scoring of the four Coastal playoff teams, they do have 10 players with double-digit goals.

Victoria Grizzlies

Taylor Pears, brought in from the University of Victoria of the BCIHL after injuries to Garrett Rockafellow and the trading of Jamie Tucker, has made some headlines and stole the Grizzlies’ lone win in their last 10 games with a 58-save effort against Coquitlam Feb. 10. That about sums up the Grizz right now.

Interior Conference

Chilliwack Chiefs

The Chiefs have swapped places with the Vernon Vipers for the final playoff spot several times in the last week and are in for a dogfight for rights to the post-season. Spence Graboski has produced almost half his points on the season in the last 15 games but and needs to keep it up.

Merritt Centennials

After producing 11 goals in eight games spanning late January

to early February, the Cents erupted for 19 goals in a recent three-game stretch. The three-week swoon has brought them back to the Interior pack for second place but they still have a three-game edge on Prince George.

Penticton Vees

The Streak has reached 34 consecutive wins though the Vernon Vipers almost snapped it recently but couldn’t hang on to a 4-2 third-period lead on Feb. 17. Joey Benik has produced points all season but has really turned on the goalscoring lately with 10 goals in his last nine games.

Prince George Spruce Kings

The Paul De Jersey - Jujhar Khaira - Michael Colantone engine keeps running smoothly and now the Fitzgerald triplets
(Gerry, Leo and Myles) have really kicked it into gear combining for 28 points in their last nine games while continuing to play on the same line.

Salmon Arm SilverBacks

Winners of just two games in February, the ’Backs are having a hard time keeping their heads up with little to play for but pride these days. Shane Hanna and Sean Flanagan have been bright spots on the blueline the forward group could use a jolt and Morgan Zulinick is off to Wisconsin after this season.

Trail Smoke Eaters

There’s no question the Smokies have been a more competitive bunch the last month or so with 20-year-old leaders Clayton McEwan and Erik Cooper providing a good example for the club. With the playoffs out of reach, the last few weeks are a time for Tanner Clarkson, Brent Baltus, Brandon Long and Marley Keca to set the tone for next season.

Vernon Vipers

The Vipers did well with the February schedule winning six of the first nine games they played in the month. How they close the season, with five of seven games on the road, will determine if they get into the playoffs or not. After a nice rookie season, Michael Zalewski is now a legitimate star player with 33 goals and 34 assists on the season.

Westside Warriors

Another team holding auditions for roles for next season, the BCHL’s youngest club has seen nice production lately from David Pope and Shawn Hochhausen. Goalie Dwayne Rodrigue graduates this year so the crease needs to be addressed for next season. The young defence corps has received valuable ice time this year which should pay off.

Monday, February 27, 2012

With their B.C. Hockey League playoff hopes already in limbo, the Vernon Vipers took another blow Friday night as they fell 6-4 to the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Island Savings Centre.

The 27-24-1-2 Snakes trailed the 28-21-1-3 Chilliwack Chiefs by three points for the final Interior Conference postseason berth heading into their Saturday-night tilt against the 29-18-1-2 Powell River Kings at Hap Parker Arena. Chilliwack had a game in hand.

Cowichan, third in the Coastal loop at 32-16-1-6, raced out to an early lead on goals by Jacob Charles (19th) and Brayden Sherbinin (9th), who scored with 18 seconds to play in the first period.

Vernon head coach Jason Williamson said Sherbinin’s goal should not have counted as he felt the Capitals had iced the puck on the play.

“They (officials) were very inconsistent and their explanation of calls they blew...when they blow calls, there’s no consequence. It’s tough to swallow,” he said.

Williamson was also irate after Viper captain Patrick McGillis was hit from behind by the Caps’ Keyler Bruce and went awkwardly into the boards. Linemate Colton Cyr challenged Bruce to a fight and picked up an instigator and misconduct.

“He (Cyr) may have deserved the instigator, but Patty got hammered from behind and both referees (Kirk Van Helvoirt and Ryan Benbow) missed it,” said Williamson.

McGillis (10th), batting a puck out of midair, got Vernon on the board midway through the second frame. Jedd Soleway made a nice move to beat a defender at the blueline to set up the play.

Vernon equalized on Colton Sparrow’s 11th of the season in the second period, but they gave up a late powerplay marker to former Salmon Arm SilverBack Brett Knowles (15th).

Devin Gannon (25th and 26th), another former SilverBack, scored just 17 seconds into the third frame, and again at 11:34 to make it 5-2.

The Vipers attempted a comeback on goals by Aaron Hadley (14th) and John Knisley (10th), but Cowichan’s Matt Browne iced the game with an empty-netter in the final second.

“Our guys were battling and competing, but came up just short,” said Williamson.

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brandon Marino scored three goals and added one assist as the CHL Quad City Mallards won 6-5 in a shootout over the host Rapid City Rush Saturday night. Marino moved into a tie for the league lead in goals (32) with Evansville’s Brian Bicek. With four points on the evening Marino also reached 71 for the season and joined league-leader Todd Robinson of the IceMen as the second player in the CHL to top 70 points. Marino who played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers is in his third season with the CHL Quad City Mallards.

Jared Brown and John Snowden converted penalty shots after Brandon Marino rang up a hat trick and an assist in regulation as the Quad City Mallards scored a wild 6-5 shootout win over the host Rapid City Rush Saturday night. With the win, the Mallards improved to 29-22-1 (59 points) on the season and pulled within three points of the fourth place Rush- who picked up one point for the shootout loss- in the Central Hockey League’s Turner Conference.

Jared Brown- on the first Mallard penalty shot and- Snowden- on the fourth and final Quad City chance- converted in the shootout while Mallard goaltender David Brown turned aside all four Rapid City penalty shots.

The shootout followed on the heels of overtime after the Rush’s Riley Weseloski blasted the only goal of the third period from the high slot to even the contest at five at the 7:46 of the final regulation frame. Weseloski’s strike was Rapid City’s third tying goal of the night.

The Mallards took the lead on three different occasions during a roller coaster second period, and would, after the Rush battled back twice in the second to tie the score, take a 5-4 advantage into the second intermission. Mickey Lang gave the Mallards their first lead by snapping a 2-2 deadlock from close range just 25 seconds into the period. At 2:34, the Rush’s Jeff Kyrzakos buried a rebound to knot the score at three. Marino responded for the Mallards by driving his third goal and Quad City’s fourth in off the post at the five-minute mark. After giving up that goal, Rapid City goaltender Tim Boron was replaced by David Wilson. The 4-3 Mallard lead lasted until Scott Wray converted Konrad Reeder’s cross-crease pass and made it 4-4 at 9:55- only for Obi Aduba to walk in alone and score the fifth Mallard goal at 12:38.

It was the Mallards who had battled from behind in the first period as Marino scored back-to-back goals to erase a 2-0 Rapid City lead. The Mallards were up 5-on-3 when Marino cut the gap to 2-1 with a blast from the right wing circle at 11:29 of the first. Marino caught up with puck- again in the right circle- to drive the tying goal home at 17:44.

Marino’s outburst proved vital after the Rush’s Reeder- who would finish the evening with a goal and three assists- had charged into the goalmouth to open the scoring at 5:43 of the first and Rapid City’s Anthony Perdicaro had doubled the margin at 10:21 with a wraparound power play goal.

However, thanks in no small part to Marino’s efforts, the Mallards would, in the end, outlast the Rush. By scoring three times Marino moved into a tie for the league lead in goals (32) with Evansville’s Brian Bicek. With four points on the evening Marino reached 71 for the season and joined league-leader Todd Robinson of the IceMen as the second player in the CHL to top 70 points.

The Mallards return to action on home ice next Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Fort Wayne Komets. Fans can purchase $2 soft drinks and $2 beers at i wireless Center concession stands during all Tuesday night home games this season.

Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season home contests- including next Tuesday night’s game- are now available. Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.

Single game tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $12 in the upper level and $17 in the lower level and $25 for the first row along the glass for adults. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for $5 off adult rates. In addition, tickets are available to military personnel for $2 off the regular adult rate.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

In a scenario that has played out many times this year, the Vipers lost a close game on the road in the third period. This time, the Powell River Kings struck twice in the last 20 minutes to earn a hard fought 4-2 victory.

Despite the outcome, Coach Jason Williamson said that he was proud of his team. “We got behind the 8-ball again, but the guys never gave up. And when they scored twice at the end of the third period, I thought we had all the momentum.”

“But they scored the way we did the last time we were here and that was that.” He was referring to the playoff game on April when David Robinson’s third period blast from the wing gave the Vipers a 1-0 win and a 2-0 lead in the league finals.

This time, Daniel Schuler’s shot from the right wing at 13:39 broke a 2-2 deadlock. He found space just inside Kirby Halcrow’s right post to spoil a sterling performance by the veteran goalie. The Schuler goal capped a series of exciting end to end rushes.

The Vipers pushed back but Steven Schmidt put the game away when he won a draw, got the puck back to the point, and then tipped Jordan Benton’s shot over Halcrow’s right arm at 15:07.

Make no mistake – this was a spirited, well-played game that both teams desperately wanted to win. The Vipers needed the two points to keep them in playoff contention, while the Kings vowed revenge for three straight league final defeats at the hands of the Vipers.

The game had playoff intensity right from the opening faceoff. It spilled into personal confrontations and offsetting roughing penalties, first between Ben Gamache and Chris Williams, at 3:21 and then between Aaron Hadley and Steven Schmidt at 4:01. The main bout, however, came halfway through the period as Brendan MacDonald and Geoff Crisfield battled to a draw in a lengthy fist fight.

After that altercation, the game settled into a fast-paced, skillfully played affair that delighted the vuvuzela-wielding crowd of 1080 fans.

Evan Richardson, a speedster with more moves than a disco dance champion, initiated the play that opened the scoring at 12:53 of the first period. He danced into the Viper zone, went behind the net and found Brandan Smith at the right point. Smith’s shot missed the net to the right and came out the other side where Teagan Waugh slammed it home.

Waugh scored the second Powell River goal as well, coming off the side wall on the power play and beating Halcrow with a quick shot to the top corner at 4:02 of the middle frame.

Despite a plethora of chances in the second period, the Vipers were held off the board until a pair of lightning strikes in the last 16 seconds of the period.

At 19:44, goalie Sean Maguire left his net to play the puck, but Aaron Hadley stole it and in one motion deposited it in the vacated net. Then, Darren Nowick won the ensuing draw back to Marc Hetnik and hustled to steal Hetnik’s shoot-in from a King defenceman. Nowick fed Mike Zalewski for a roof daddy with one second remaining in the period.

That 15-second burst might have deflated the Kings, but both teams came out strong in the third period. The shots and scoring chances were even for the period and indeed for the whole game,

Tonight is a re-match of the last three Fred Page Cup Championships as the Vipers & Kings meet in the one and only meeting of the regular season. The Vipers are coming off a 6-4 loss in Cowichan Valley last night in the first game of a three game road trip. The Vipers with just one win on the road in their last seventeen games away from home. The Vipers sit three points back of 4th place Chilliwack with just six games remaining in the regular season.

-Mike Zalewski (33-34-67) is the lone Viper in the leagues top twenty in scoring

The Kings finish a five game home stand with Vernon tonight after back to back wins over Victoria last weekend. The Kings come into tonight's game riding a two game winning streak sit one point up on 2nd place Cowichan Valley and three points back of division leading Surrey. The Kings have just five losses at home have won fourteen of their last sixteen games.

Despite a strong effort in Duncan on Friday, the Vipers’ playoff aspirations suffered a setback with a 6-4 loss to the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

The key play happened early in the third period when the Capitals’ top line of Devin Gannon, Matt Brown, and Brett Knowles created a turnover outside the Viper blue line and stormed the zone. Just 17 seconds into the period, Gannon gave the Capitals a 4-2 lead when a pinballed puck come to him while he was parked to the left of Kirby Halcrow’s crease.

Gannon added to the lead from exactly the same spot during a 5-on-3 power play at 11:34. That lead looked insurmountable, but the Vipers stormed back with goals by Aaron Hadley at 17:35 and by John Knisley at 19:34.

Brett Knowles squeaked in an empty netter with one second remaining.

The Vipers played from behind for most of the contest despite out hitting and out shooting their opportunistic hosts.

Cowichan Valley got on the board first at 3:39 of the opening frame. Jake Charles squirmed free from a Viper defender to deposit a rebound of Troy Paterson’s point shot.

Though stung by the early goal, the Vipers recovered to create chances of their own. However, at 7:29 a refereeing gaffe hurt the Viper cause. Cowichan’s Keyler Bruce drove Patrick McGillis into the boards from behind. Amazingly, he was not penalized for that hit, but an instigator penalty was assessed to Colton Cyr when he challenged Bruce. Cyr and Bruce then engaged in a lengthy, bruising fight.

McGillis was shaken up by the Bruce hit, but returned to action and nearly tied the score at 1-1 when his breakaway attempt at 11:32 beat Derek Dun but not Dun’s left goal post. Meanwhile, the Vipers lost Cyr for 17 minutes because the instigator penalty triggers an automatic misconduct.

Then, the Capitals drew another break when linesman Marko Casavant failed to signal an obvious icing by the Capitals. The play continued into the Viper zone and eventually Brayden Sherbinin’s screened point shot found the Viper net at 19:42. In response to the Vipers’ protests, the two referees and the other linesman admitted that the play should have been blown dead for the icing infraction.

With Cyr sitting for a lengthy spell, the Vipers were down to two centres. Adam Tambellini failed to make the trip because of illness and Ben Gamache’s injured hand flared up after the warmup. So, the Vipers double shifted Darren Nowick and Jedd Soleway.

Soleway responded with perhaps his best game of the season. His constant offensive zone pressure and some spirited rushes sparked the Vipers in the second period. Two of those rushes led to goals by Patrick McGillis and Colton Sparrow that knotted the score at 2-2.

Just when the Vipers had gained momentum, Darren Nowick’s hooking penalty gave the Capitals their fourth of seven power plays and they converted through Sherbinin’s nice backdoor feed to Brett Knowles at 19:00.

The Vipers, who now have played one more game than the Chilliwack Chiefs, remain three points back of the Chiefs in the race for the last playoff spot in the BCHL's Interior Division.

The Vipers sit back three points back of 4th place Chilliwack, hit the road for a three game trip starting tonight vs the Capitals. Vernon has struggled away from home with just one win since mid November. The Vipers with just two wins in their last five games play five of their remaining seven games away from home.

-Mike Zalewski (33-34-67) is the lone Viper in the leagues top twenty in scoring

The Capitals return home after a three game road trip where they went 1-2 host Vernon in the only meeting of the regular season between these two teams. Cowichan Valley has won four of it's last six games starts a four game home stand tonight. The Caps have won three out of their last four home games.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Malcolm Lyles Scored his first collegiate goal on Friday vs. No. 2 Boston University in a 7-4 win. Lyles played one season in Vernon (2010-2011).

This is posted on the River Hawks website:

Friday, February 17, 2012

FOUR POINTS FROM CHIASSON LEAD BOSTON UNIVERSITY PAST UMASS LOWELL, 7-4

LOWELL, Mass. - The second-ranked Boston University Terriers scored five unanswered goals en route to a 7-4 victory over #6 UMass Lowell on Friday night in the Tsongas Center. Senior Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.) led the River Hawk offense with a goal and assist, in front of a sold-out standing room only crowd of 6,706.

UMass Lowell dropped into a tie with Maine for third-place in Hockey East with a record of 19-9-0 overall this season and 14-8-0 in conference play. The win vaulted the Terriers into a tie with Boston College for first in Hockey East, sporting a record of 18-10-1 overall and 14-7-1 in league action.

The River Hawks kicked off the shootout early in the first period, potting a rebound goal at 5:53 into play. Freshman Stephen Buco (North Providence, R.I.) put a shot low on goaltender Kieran Millan (Edmonton, Alta.) and the rebound kicked to Michael Budd (Burlington, Ont.) for the second-chance tally.

That goal appeared to wake up Boston University as it proceeded to score five unanswered goals over the next 28 minutes of action.

The first in the string came less than two minutes after Budd's tally as Wade Megan (Canton, N.Y.) knocked in a rebound off of Patrick MacGregor's (Hamden, Conn.) shot from the near point.

The Terriers followed with another score at 13:18 as Alex Chiasson (St. Augustin, Que.) scored the first of three Boston University power play goals, connecting on passes from Chris Connolly (Duluth, Minn.) and Matt Nieto (Long Beach, Calif.).

Yasin Cisse (Westmount, Que.) closed out the first frame with his second goal of the season, while Connolly extended the score to 4-1 early in the second period with a power play tally from Chiasson and Nieto.

The Terriers' fifth goal of the night came at 14:40 into the second period after Chiasson broke up a pass to the blue line, knocking the puck into neutral ice for Adam Clendening (Wheatfield, N.Y.). Clendening skated in alone on goaltender Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.), beating Carr for his third goal of the year.

UMass Lowell finally broke the momentum in the closing moments of the second period with its lone power play goal of the evening. David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) dished to Ferreira in neutral ice and the senior center skated into the corner before finding Malcolm Lyles (Miami Gardens, Fla.) in the slot. Lyles one-timed the puck over Millan's right leg pad for his first collegiate goal.

The River Hawks cut the deficit to 5-3 just 20 seconds into the third period on a tic-tac-toe play from behind the net for a score from Riley Wetmore (Swanton, Vt.), his 10th of the season.

Boston University shattered that momentum swing just under two minutes later as Ross Gaudet (Burlington, Mass.) emerged from the penalty box only to have the puck bounce to him all alone. Gaudet charged into the UMass Lowell zone and buried his third of the year.

The two clubs traded goals before the final horn blew as Ferreira scored for the River Hawks at 7:32 and Nieto potted the puck for Boston University at 11:10, settling the final score at 7-4.

Carr struggled in net, dropping to 18-6-0 on the season while allowing six goals on 23 shots. He was replaced early in the third period and Marc Boulanger (Olds, Alta.) played the final 17 minutes, stopping 5-of-6 shots. The Terriers' Millan made 38 saves on the night, improving to 16-10-1.

The two teams will lace up the skates one more time on Saturday, switching venues to the Agganis Arena in Boston at 7:30 p.m., live on NESN.

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Garrett Noonan is one of twenty three players named in this week's (February, 20th 2012) Hockey East weekly top performers. Scored both of BU's goals in the Beanpot championship game and added an assist Saturday vs. UML. Noonan played one season in Vernon (2009-10).

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Florida Panthers have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Tyson Strachan to a one-year contract extension last week. Strachan played just one season in Vernon (2002-03) collecting (6-22-28) in 56 regular season games with the Vipers, before playing four years at Ohio State University. Strachan was drafted by Carolina in the fifth round (137th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Strachan signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers back in July after playing the last four seasons with the AHL Peoria Rivermen & the NHL St. Louis Blues.

Defenseman Tyson Strachan celebrated his first NHL goal scored against the NY Islanders on February 12th.

SUNRSISE, FLA – Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms with D Tyson Strachan on a one-year contract extension.

Strachan, 27, made his Florida Panthers debut on Jan. 24 vs. Philadelphia, registering his first Panthers point, an assist on Feb. 1 vs. Washington. He scored his first National Hockey League goal on Feb. 12 in Florida’s 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defenseman has registered three points (1-2-3) in eight games, while averaging more than 15 minutes of ice time per game since being recalled on Jan. 23.

For his career in the NHL, Strachan has appeared in 75 games with St. Louis (2008-11) and Florida (2012), scoring one goal with eight assists and 82 PIM. The Melfort, Sask., native was drafted by Carolina in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The first-place Panthers begin a four-game home stand tonight when they host the Ottawa Senators at 7:30 p.m. The game can only be heard on 560 WQAM and 760 ESPN (Palm Beaches).

Sunrise Sports & Entertainment is the premier company of its kind in South Florida. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Home to more than 200 events annually and the Florida Panthers hockey club, the Broward County-owned BankAtlantic Center welcomes more than two million guests each year.

Playing their fourth game in five days, the last place the Vernon Vipers wanted to be was double overtime, but that’s exactly where they found themselves Saturday night at Wesbild Centre.

Captain Patrick McGillis made it all worthwhile when he circled from the corner to wire a shot past netminder Dwayne Rodrigue for the winner with 1:28 to play as Vernon brushed back the Westside Warriors 3-2 in a hard-fought B.C. Hockey League thriller.

“I was proud of the effort for sure,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson. “You could see they were running out of gas, but they found a way. After the game they were pretty quiet in there (dressing room).”

Combined with the Chilliwack Chiefs’ 4-3 OT win over the Warriors Sunday at Royal LePage Place, the 27-23-1-2 Vipers are fifth in the Interior Conference, one point back of the 27-21-1-3 Chiefs, who have a game in hand.

With just seven regular-season games remaining, the Snakes head for Vancouver Island Thursday to prepare for a Friday-night tilt in Duncan against the Cowichan Valley Capitals (31-16-1-6), followed by a Saturday game against Kent Lewis’s Powell River Kings (34-15-2-2) on the Sunshine Coast.

“There’s not a lot of tinkering we’re going to do with our systems, so it’s just keeping our guys fresh...and saving our energy for the weekend,” said Williamson of the Vipers’ preparation.

Much of Vernon’s success in their week-long hockey marathon can be attributed to their powerplay, which went 6-for-17 (35 per cent) over those four games.

Mike Zalewski (33rd goal), burying a puck behind Rodrigue (41 saves) at the side of the net in the first period, and Aaron Hadley (13th), converting on the Warrior netminder’s doorstep after a slick feed from Darren Nowick in the second frame, supplied man-advantage goals. Vernon went 2-for-8 Saturday, while holding the Warriors (19-26-2-7) scoreless on eight attempts, including a minute-long 5-on-3 in the third period.

Even McGillis’s OT winner, his ninth goal of the year, was pretty much a powerplay tally as Westside defenceman Peter McIntosh had just stepped on the ice after serving a tripping minor.

With Williamson reuniting the All-American line of Nowick, Zalewski and Johnny Knisley, Hadley was moved to a line with McGillis and Adam Tambellini. The 18-year-old Castlegar product responded by playing some of his best hockey as a Viper, recording four goals in his last three games.

“We know what’s at stake here and there’s no one on this team that wants to go home on March 11. We’re going to give it all we have,” said Hadley.

Despite falling 6-4 to the Penticton Vees Friday night, Hadley said the Vipers took a lot away from that game, knowing they can compete with the best team in the league.

“Every single guy on our team showed a lot of character and a lot of grit. No one gave up, even when we started losing. It was just something we can hold our expectations to for the rest of the season.”

Travis Blanleil (14th) beat Kirby Halcrow with a point shot through a maze to get the Warriors on the board in the second period. Max French (21st) forced OT when he pounced on a loose puck that had snuck through Halcrow (31 saves) and lay on the crease.

Westside head coach Rylan Ferster liked his team’s effort, but said certain players didn’t stick with the game-plan, especially on special teams.

“On our powerplay we had some stuff we wanted our guys to do, and either they don’t understand or they don’t want to listen,” he said. “Very frustrating because we had every opportunity to win the game.”

Devon Hascarl, a Vernon minor hockey product who started the season in Junior B with the Revelstoke Grizzlies, is loving the step up in competition since joining the Warriors. The 18-year-old has 5-9-14 in 36 games and lined up on Westside’s first line with Shawn Hochhausen and Reid Simmonds.

“You gotta love the BCHL,” grinned Hascarl. “It’s fast, it’s fun, you’ve got a lot of good guys in the room, it’s a good community, it’s a good league.”

On playing in his hometown, he added: “It’s always a treat to have some friends to come out and watch. They get to see what you’ve been working on so hard for the last 15 or 16 years. I’d love to play here more. I think I play better. Just ready to go and you have to show what you can do out there.”

Even with the Warriors’ playoff hopes all but extinguished (they are 11 points out with six games to play), Hascarl says Ferster does a good job with keeping players accountable.

“With Rylan as your coach, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what day it is, what night it is, where you are, what place you’re in, you play to win and you play hard.”

SNAKE BITES: Ben Gamache missed Saturday’s game after blocking a shot with his hand in Friday’s loss to Penticton. Williamson said he is questionable for weekend action.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I come across a article on a Nashville Predators blog on former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Garrett Noonan. Noonan was Selected by the Nashville Predators in round 4 #112 overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Noonan played one season in Vernon (2009-2010) collecting (2-16-18) in 58 regular season games with the Vipers.

The annual Beanpot college hockey tournament is a rite of passage every year in Boston where the four schools (Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern) represented do battle on the first two Mondays in February. The tournament sets its winner up seemingly every year for a long run at the end of the season and in three of the last four years that run ended in a National Championship (BC in 2008, BU in 2009, BC in 2010). This year the Eagles of Boston College emerged victorious in the championship game in an OT thriller for the ages despite the outstanding game had by Predators prospect defenseman Garrett Noonan. Noonan, the Predators 4th Round pick in this past draft became the fifth NCAA defenseman to hit double digits in goals on the season following his two goal effort this season and is well on his way to becoming another Predators diamond in the rough pick. The cross continental road he is on to the Music City has been one that would make any country singer proud.

Noonan a native of Norfolk, Massachusetts played his high school hockey at perennial powerhouse Catholic Memorial for legendary coach Bill Hanson. After going undrafted in 2009 and needing a postgraduate year of hockey before he could play Division I Garrett went 3,000 miles west to the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League. In Vernon Noonan helped the Vipers capture the prestigious RBC Cup and was awarded with a scholarship to Boston University (about eight miles and twenty minutes away from Catholic Memorial) to play for yet another legendary coach in Jack Parker. Despite his BU commitment and RBC Cup Noonan’s name was not called on draft day 2010 too. Putting this in his rearview as a freshman Garrett emerged as a top four defenseman for the Terriers and turned in a solid first year campaign with fifteen points and a team leading 89 penalty minutes. Despite the team’s inconsistencies Garrett was a rock solid force on the back end playing an adept two way game. Finally at the urging of Preds scout and fellow Catholic Memorial alum Jeff Kealty Noonan’s name was called by an NHL teamthe Predators drafted Noonan with the 112th pick in this past draft. This season has been anything but a sophomore slump as Garrett, playing alongside Blackhawks prospect Adam Clendening has matched his totals from last year in nearly every category as the Terriers look to make a run at the NCCA title. In yet another example of the Predators making a smart draft pick of a player overlooked by other teams Noonan looks to have a bright future in professional hockey making 29 other teams rue the day(s) they passed over him, as Predators fans we’ll take the extra motivated kid from the Bay State on our side any day.

To go along with the piece celebrating Garrett’s tremendous game I included a prospect profile on the BU defenseman

The Phoenix Coyotes announced Saturday they have recalled former Vernon Vipers forward Matt Watkins from the AHL Portland Pirates, the Coyotes American Hockey League affiliate. Watkins had 15 goals 20 assists for 35 points in 64 games for San Antonio last season. He signed an entry-level contract with the Coyotes in 2009 as a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars (5th round – #160 overall) in 2005. Watkins played one season in Vernon (2004-05) collecting (36-38-74) in 60 regular season games with the Vipers.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today the Coyotes have recalled defenseman Michael Stone and forward Matt Watkins from the Portland Pirates, the Coyotes American Hockey League affiliate (AHL).

The 6-foot-3, 207 pound Stone has appeared in 51 games with the Pirates this season, recording 9-13-22 and 24 penalty minutes (PIM). In 2010-11, Stone recorded 2-11-13 and 27 PIM in 70 games with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Stone was drafted by the Coyotes in the third round (69th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft.

The 5-foot-10, 185 pound Watkins has appeared in 48 games with the Pirates this season, registering 9-18-27 and 30 PIM. In 2010, 11, Watkins collected 15-20-35 and 45 PIM in 64 games with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Watkins was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (160th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.

The Coyotes will return to Jobing.com Arena tonight to host the Dallas Stars. Puck drop is 6 p.m. The first 10,000 fans to enter the arena will receive an Alice Cooper bobble head in honor of “Coop’s Troops Night” – a salute to military service men and women. For more information, please visit PhoenixCoyotes.com or by calling 480-563-PUCK (7825).

Boston Terriers Sophomore defenceman, Garrett Noonan (Former Vernon Viper) is tied for second nationally in goals by a defenseman with eleven. Noonan played one season in Vernon (2009-2010) collecting (2-16-18) in 58 regular season games with the Vipers.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Thanks to Penticton Vees play by play man, Fraser Rogers for posting the Vees-Vipers highlight's from Friday night as Penticton won their 33rd straight game with a come from behind 6-4 victory over the visiting Vernon Vipers.

Captain Patrick McGillis gave his Vernon Vipers a vital extra point when he scored 1:28 into the second overtime to edge a hard working band of Westside Warriors, 3-2.

The win moved Vernon one point ahead of Chilliwack in the race for the last playoff spot in the BCHL’s Interior Division. The Chiefs lost 4-2 in Merritt, but have two games in hand.

Assistant Coach Chris Shaw said “this was a real character win for our club; we’ve played four games in five nights and the guys gave everything they had in Penticton last night. We’re getting great leadership from our vets right now and everybody is tending to the details that make a team successful.”

Still, fatigue seemed to set in to some extent in the third period as the visiting Warriors outworked their hosts and tied the game on a Max French goal at 5:03. Encouraged, the Warriors continued to forecheck hard and press the Vipers into mistakes. Frequently, the Warriors shot blocker side on Kirby Halcrow but the big goaltender made several fine reaction saves with his blocker, right arm, or right pad.

At the other end, Dwayne Rodrigue also put on a show, especially during a Viper power play that generated several Grade A chances.

The key part of the exciting third period came when the Vipers allowed only one scoring chance during a 58-second two-man advantage enjoyed by the Warriors. Then in the first overtime, another Westside power play was unable to break through the Viper defensive wall.

Rodrigue really shone in overtime as the Vipers outshot the Warriors 15-3 in the extra 6:28. He was especially brilliant during a Viper power play that carried over into the second overtime session.

However, just after that power play expired, McGillis unleashed a powerful wrist shot that basically overwhelmed Rodrigue. McGillis said that his team “really wanted that extra point. And I needed to do something because I had missed on a few good chances earlier.”

Indeed, at the 14-minute mark in the third period, McGillis had put the puck past Rodrigue on the glove side but saw it ring off the goal post.

Special teams played a huge part in this contest. The Vipers killed off all eight Warrior power plays while scoring their first two goals with a man advantage. Mike Zalewski gave the Vipers a 1-0 first period lead when his rising snap shot from 10 feet beat Rodrigue on the short side.

Then after Travis Blanleil’s seeing-eye shot from the blue line went through a maze of players to tie the game at 11:13 of the second period, Aaron Hadley notched his third power play goal in three games, at 13:38. All three have come from exactly the same spot, on the edge of the crease to the goalie’s left.

The robust winger has been able to create separation from the defenceman assigned to guard him. However, the Warriors adjusted by putting two defenders in the crease area and cutting off the cross crease pass. The Vipers were unable to convert their subsequent power plays and finished 2 for 8 with the man advantage, although they did hit the post twice during their last three.

The Vernon Vipers came within 18 minutes of derailing the longest win streak in B.C. Hockey League history.

Instead, they surrendered four unanswered third-period goals in a 6-4 loss to the seemingly unstoppable Penticton Vees in front of 2,757 fans Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

“I thought we gave a pretty good hockey team all they could handle,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson to Black Press. “We were up 4-2, I thought we went punch for punch, blow for blow. We were good for 45 minutes and then it kind of got away from us. They got some opportunistic goals.”

Vernon, fifth in the Interior Conference at 26-23-1-2, went up by a pair 1:27 into the third period as rookie forward Adam Tambellini collected his 24th of the season on the powerplay, assisted by veterans Colton Cyr and Pat McGillis.

However, the 45-3-0-2 Vees, who extended their league-record win streak to 33 games, started a rally at the five-minute mark, with second star defenceman Zach Urbran netting his fourth goal, assisted by Bryce Gervais.

“We don’t clear the puck and Zach Urban gets a point shot that finds its way to the back of the net,” said Williamson. “We had the game in our grasp and that’s hockey sometimes. If we can get a stick or block, maybe it’s a different outcome.”

Just two minutes later, Urban returned the favour, setting up Gervais (37th goal) for the equalizer at 7:16.

Mike Reilly (33rd goal), unassisted, gave Penticton it’s first lead at 11:36, and with Kirby Halcrow (21 saves) pulled, Joey Benik (26th) supplied an empty-netter in the final minute.

While obviously disheartened by the result, Williamson couldn’t fault Vernon’s effort, and noted the Vipers are the last team to stop the high-flying Vees in regulation (7-1 win on Nov. 2).

“Probably the closest game they’ve had. Or the biggest scare they’ve had. We just have to bottle that effort up and push for these last eight games.”

Vernon third star Aaron Hadley (12th) opened the scoring on a first-period powerplay, assisted by Mike Zalewski and Darren Nowick. Jedd Soleway (12th), assisted by Brendan Persley and Cyr, and John Knisley (9th), unassisted, scored for the Snakes in the second frame.

Captain Logan Johnston (10th) and first star Wade Murphy (33rd), both on the man advantage, connected for Penticton in the second.

The Vipers were a point back of the Chilliwack Chiefs (26-20-1-3) heading into their Saturday tilt with the Westside Warriors at Wesbild Centre. The Chiefs had two games in hand.

Vernon is on the coast next weekend to face the Cowichan Valley Capitals Friday night at the Interior Savings Centre, followed by a Saturday date with Kent Lewis’s Powell River Kings at Hap Parker Arena.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs fell 4-3 in overtime to the host Prince George Spruce Kings (28-17-2-4) Friday night at the Coliseum. They visited the resurgent Merritt Centennials (28-17-2-5) Saturday.

In BCHL action Thursday night, Hadley recorded his 10th and 11th goals of the season as Vernon grounded the Nanaimo Clippers 5-1 at Wesbild.

Zalewski and Tambellini each supplied 1+2, while Soleway, on an easy tap in after Tambellini hit the post, with 22 seconds remaining, rounded out the Viper offence in front of 1,485 fans.

Hadley fought off a check and beat goalie Billy Faust at 5:26 of the opening period. Tambellini took a cross-ice feed from Zalewski and wired a wrister from the right side, making it 2-0 four minutes later on a powerplay.

Hadley made it 3-0 just 26 seconds into the second period from in front of Faust, on a powerplay. Zalewski and Nowick drew the helpers.

Luke Gordon, who had three cups of mocha with the WHL Calgary Hitmen, replied for the Clippers a minute later with captain and former Viper Trevor Fitzgerald earning the secondary assist.

“We just didn’t play a full 60, didn’t play our game,” said Fitzgerald, on pace for 20 goals and 100 penalty minutes. “We didn’t have the intensity we wanted as a full lineup. Some guys were on different pages, and other guys just didn’t play a team game.”

Cyr, a longtime Clipper traded to Vernon at the Jan. 10 deadline, moved in with Zalewski on a shorthanded break, taking a low shot at Faust from the right side. Zalewski banged in the rebound for his team-high 32nd goal of the year. That goal came with 30 seconds left in d-man Marc Hetnik’s minor penalty for knocking Clayton Chessa out of Viper goalie Halcrow’s crease.

The Vipers outshot the Clippers 43-33.

Nanaimo, who started a three-game swing by losing 6-3 Wednesday night to the Coquitlam Express, are fifth in the Coastal Conference, 13 points back of the Express. The Clippers, who had almost identical goals for and against and points records as Vernon, dropped to 22-20-0-9.

It was also a homecoming for Clipper rookie d-man Colton Dahlen (a Vernon minor hockey product) and Nanaimo head coach Mike Vandekamp, a former Viper bench boss.

“We didn’t compete enough in our zone and we could have buried some more chances,” said Dahlen, 18.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder, who played Junior B in Revelstoke last season, has 1-6-7 and is enjoying the freshman ride.

“It’s all about work ethic, just doing the little things right and constantly bringing a good attitude and stuff like that. Playing away from home has been good for me.”

Hadley and Nanaimo d-man Josh Phillips wrestled to the ice deep in the Nanaimo zone in the second period, in the game’s only scrap.

Fitzgerald, who felt numb when the Vipers traded him to Prince George in the offseason, is also loving life on the Island despite the Clippers’ inconsistency.

“It’s good. Vandy’s a great guy. We get along really well. We talk lots and have good communication, and he’s my style of coach and I’m his style of player so it’s going awesome.

“I knew pretty much right away after I got traded that Vandy was trying to get me in Nanaimo so I was hoping for that. Guys there are awesome, people there are awesome, it’s a great hockey city.”

Fitzgerald, 19, is stoked about Nanaimo hosting the Western Canadian championships next year, his final season in the BCHL.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Westside 3-2 in double overtime in front of 1,780 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Westside: Dwayne Rodrigue

1st Period: The Vipers got off to a good start carrying the better of the play early before getting the games first powerplay just over five minutes into the opening period. Brett Corkey's point shot was stopped by Dwayne Rodrigue and then stopped Mike Zalewski on the rebound making two big saves. The Vipers would move the puck around Darren Nowick setup Mike Zalewski at 5:54 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Nowick & Brett Corkey with the assists. The Vipers continued with some good pressure as Brett Corkey with another shot from the point was stopped by Dwayne Rodrigue. Vernon looked good early to start the game. Just three minutes later the Warriors would get their first powerplay but with very little pressure Westside captain, Max French with a chance in front was stopped by Halcrow just before the penalty expired. The Vipers were lucky after turning over the puck atleast two or three times in their own end as the Warriors couldnt capitalize. Vernon was the better of the two teams in the first half but the Warriors come back with a much better second half. Reid Simmonds with a quick shot from the slot was stopped by Kirby Halcrow who made a nice pad save. Just a few minutes later Connor Dempsey with a great chance in front was stopped by Halcrow who made a huge save in close. The Warriors now the team with the pressure and carrying the edge in play. Late in the period Westside would get it's second powerplay but it was the Vipers penalty kill that was sharp as the Warriors couldnt get the play in deep. Shorthanded John Knisley and Mike Zalewski in on the odd man rush, Knisley fed Zalewski who was going hard towards the net couldnt connect on Knisley's pass on a great scoring opportunity. The Warriors struggled with the man advantage as Vernon would kill off the minor. In the final minute Vernon would get a late powerplay that would carry into the 2nd period. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers carried the better of the play and were the better team in the first half of the period but Westside turned the tables and was the better of the two teams in the second half. Not alot of scoring opportunities. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 10-9.

2nd Period: The Vipers started the second with the man advantage that was carried over from the first period. Vernon couldnt really setup or get any real good shots off as a strong penalty kill by the Warriors would block the shooting lanes not giving the Vipers any open lanes and would kill off the minor. Westside would get into some penalty trouble as Vernon would get back to back powerplays early. But it was the Warriors who with a strong forecheck forced an odd man rush but Brett Corkey with a strong defensive play hustled back to break up the two on one. The Warriors penalty kill was very good and again caught the Vipers with another shorthanded odd man rush. Shawn Hochhausen and former Vipers forward, Marcus Basara in on the two on one but Hochhausen shot high and over the net. On the second powerplay Max French and Travis Blanleil in on the two on one but Kirby Halcrow was their to make a nice save as the Vipers struggled with three straight powerplays. Just as the final powerplay expired the Warriors would get a powerplay as specialty teams took over in the middle frame. The Warriors with some good pressure unable to really get any quality shots as the Vipers defence did a good job at blocking the shooting lanes and would kill off the minor. Just past the midway mark Turner Lawson alone at the side of the net was robbed by Dwayne Rodrigue who came across the crease making a huge pad save. On the next play with Vernon getting a penalty the Warriors still had control of the puck deep in the Vipers zone, Travis Blanleil with a quick shot from the top circle beat wich looked like a screened Kirby Halcrow at 11:32 as the Warriors tied the game. Blanleil's goal was unassisted. As the Warriors were celebrating Geoff Crisfield and another Westside player exchanged words and some punches as the two were caught between a linesman as tempers heated up. On the play the Warriors would get a powerplay. With Westside on the man advantage the Warriors would get called for two many men as both teams played four on four before Vernon would get a late powerplay and capitalize. Adam Tambellini setup Darren Nowick who fed Aaron Hadley in front at 13:38 giving the Vipers a 2-1 lead. Nowick and Tambellini with the helpers. The Vipers come back with a few good shifts and started to carry the edge in play before the Warriors battled back as the play was fairly even at times. Again not alot of scoring chances at both ends of the rink as the physical play really picked up. Both teams were laying out some big checks as emotions started to take over towards the end of the game. With just over minutes to play Brendan Persley with a big check deep in the Warriors zone forced the Warriors d-man to turn over the puck, Persley with a nice pass out front found a wide open Colton Sparrow who fed a wide open Mike Zalewski in front but Dwayne Rodrigue come up with a hge save robbing Zalewski in front. At the buzzer deep in the Warriors zone behind the goal tempers heated up as everyone got involved in a huge scrum behind the Warriors net. Some pushing and shoving occured as the Warriors would get a powerplay out of the scrum to start the 3rd. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. Lots of penalties in a very physical but long period. Other then back to back powerplays for both teams it was a fairly even played period. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 11-7.

3rd Period: The Warriors started the period with the man advantage but a strong penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the minor. The Warriors slowly started to carry the edge in play, just after the powerplay a mad scramble in the Vipers crease as the Warriors couldnt find the back of the net. Reid Simmonds with a chance in front couldnt beat Halcrow as the Vipers looked tired and were running out of gas playing their fourth game in five nights. Kirby Halcrow made a nice save before the Warriors crashed the crease as Halcrow was knocked over somehow the puck found its way into the back of the net as Max French tied the game at 5:03 French's goal was unassisted on just a hard nosed play at the net and the Warriors tied the game. Westside would then get a two man advantage but it was the Vipers penalty kill again that played very well giving up just three shots as the Vipers excaped killing off the two man advantage. Just as the Warriors powerplay ended the Vipers would get a shot with the powerplay. Mike Zalewski with a great chance at the side of the crease beat Dwayne Rodrigue but hit the post. The Warriors would go down two men after taking a penalty on the penalty kill giving the Vipers a late two man advantage. Patrick McGillis with a quick shot from the slot beat Dwayne Rodrigue but rang his shot off the post as the Vipers with back to back posts on the powerplay. Darren Nowick with a shot from in close with a mad scramble the puck was bouncing around as the Vipers couldnt find the back of the net just as the penalty expired. With the Vipers just barly hanging on the Warriors poured on the pressure in the final minutes of the third getting some good chances but Kirby Halcrow made a few nice saves. Marcus Basara and Reid Simmonds both with good chances from in close shot high and wide. The Warriors missed the net on several chances from in close. It was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Westside had the edge in play and the better of the scoring chances. The Vipers were running on fumes as the Warriors who had last night off still playing with lots of energy. Westside outshot Vernon 13-9.

Overtime: Just fifty four seconds into the extra period the Warriors would get an early powerplay but another strong penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the minor. Westside couldnt really get setup and get any shots as the Vipers penalty kill was good. The Vipers would then get a powerplay and get lots of shots from in close but Dwayne Rodrigue was solid making several big saves in the extra frame to keep the game tied. A mad scramble in front late with the man advantage but again Dwayne Rodrigue somehow come up with the puck. The period would come to an end with the Vipers still with the man advantage. It was still tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of play. Vernon with lots of pucks towards the net but they couldnt beat Rodrigue. Vernon also with several chances in close but missed the net. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 10-3.

Double Overtime: With the Vipers still on the powerplay carried over from the end of the first overtime Ryan Renz turned the puck over inside the Warriors blueline, Shawn Hochhausen tried going in for the breakaway but Vipers captain Patrick McGillis was back to stop Hochhausen and then get the play back into the Westside zone with a nice defensive play. The Warriors would kill off the penalty but just after the powerplay expired Patrick McGilli's harmless looking shot from the circle beat Dwayne Rodrigue at 1:28 giving the Vipers a huge 3-2 double overtime victory. Brett Corkey collected the lone assist. Vernon outshot Westside 5-0.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Brett Corkey (2 assists) Played very well on the Vipers backend. made a very strong defensive play in the 2nd period to hustle back and break up a Warriors two on one. Logged alot of minutes down the stretch in the 3rd and into overtime.

For the second straight night the line of John Knisley, Mike Zalewski (1 Goal) & Darren Nowick (2 assists) played very well. Zalewski was very good down low, very creative with the puck down low and very hard to knock off the puck. Nowick was very strong on the penalty kill again for the second straight night and is also very good down low. Both Zalewski and Nowick really see and read the ice well, make some pretty shifty moves down low and in and around the net to try and find one another.

Aaron Hadley (1 goal) What can you say about Aaron Hadley here's a kid that I said a few months back I was expecting a little more from the second year Viper forward and the last few weeks has really turned up his game and been one of the more consistant Vipers latley. Hadley with another powerplay goal is very good in and around the net, really plays physical and uses his body down low to crash and bang.

Patrick McGillis (Overtime Winner) McGillis with a few chances tonight, really skated and battled hard tonight. Had a great chance in the third but hit the post. Really battled and worked hard all night.

Brendan Persley didnt see alot of icetime down the stretch drive and into overtime but I thought was the Vipers best player in atleast the first two periods. Played with alot of energy, played physical and come ready to play tonight. Made some smart plays in the offensive zone. Was really laying the body tonight.

Kirby Halcrow (31 saves) For the second straight night Halcrow played very well between the pipes. Come up with some big saves through out tonights game giving his team a chance to win.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

A huge win for the Vipers combined with a Chiefs loss in Merritt the Vipers move into 4th place one point up on Chilliwack. I thought the Vipers played well coming up with a gutsy performance. Tonight was the teams third game in three nights as well as forth game in five nights. In the 3rd you could tell the guys were out of energy and running on fumes but hung in and pulled out a huge double overtime victory. I thought Vernon's powerplay looked good early but couldnt seem to get much going with the man advantage as the game went on, that combined with a very strong penalty kill by the Warriors. Vernon with three straight back to back to back powerplays to start the 2nd period could have easily put the game away but couldnt capitalize and the Warriors would come back to tie the game. The Vipers penalty kill was very solid tonight killing off all eight of Westside's powerplays. I have really been impressed with the penalty kill the last handfull of games.

Top Players: (Westside)

Shawn Hochhausen was one of the Warriors best players tonight. Played with alot of energy and had several scoring chances. Really worked and battled hard all night.

Travis Blanleil (1 goal) Played very well up front for Westside. Very quick was hard to slow down.

Reid Simmonds played very well up front for the Warriors. had one chance in the opening period but really stood out in the 3rd with several chances in close.

Max French (1 goal) The Warriors captain who usally plays well against Vernon come ready to play tonight scoring the games tying goal. French was another Warrior who was working and battling hard all night. Was in and around the net all game.

Dwayne Rodrigue (41 saves) Also made 41 saves in a 3-1 win over the Vipers back in mid January come up with a heck of a game tonight giving the Warriors a single point. Rodrigue come up with some huge saves through out tonight's game and was the difference in both overtime periods.

Game Thoughts: (Westside)

For the Warriors who are out of this years BCHL playoffs you have to give this team credit for battling and working hard in a mean nothing game other then team pride. What an exciting-entertaining hockey game tonight as both teams worked extremely hard. The Warriors who battled all night didnt quit forcing overtime. Westside struggled with the man advantage but also combined with a very good Vipers penalty kill couldnt really setup and get any sustained pressure. A very good penalty kill as the game went on. A very physical game as anytime these two teams meet they are usally pretty entertaining games. Nice to see a pretty big crowd of Warriors fans who made the trip up making lots of noise. Rylan Ferster complained or yelled and screamed at almost every non call through out tonight's game was embarassing to watch. Referee Nick Swaine should have given the Warriors head coach a penalty for all the complaining and yelling and screaming he was doing from the bench.

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.